Martin Sloane

I had to feel sorry for Jolene. At the tender age of 19 she becomes a pen pal to a man 35 years her senior. At 21 she becomes his lover and loses her virginity to him. He's old enough to be her father. She dedicates her young life to a man 35 years older than her, teaching him how to drive and caring for him like a husband, all because she fell in love with his artistry at first sight. Little object-filled boxes of life. His life. They intrigued her, then captivated her.
Irish born artist, Martin Samuel Joseph Sloane is a conundrum. When he suddenly leaves his and Jolene's home in the middle of the night, Jolene is left with his little boxes and a million questions. What follows is a quest for love. The themes of loss and forgiveness show more are unmistakable but what bubbles to the surface in the end is maturation and grace. show less

This is a story about love and abandonment. Jolene is a 19-year-old college student when she meets and falls in love with Martin Sloane, an artist 30 years her senior. When he suddenly vanishes from her life, she has to learn to deal with this loss. Loss is the major theme -- both Jolene and Martin have experienced other important losses in their lives.

The writing is beautiful and atmospheric. There are two story lines: Martin's and Jolene's. I found Martin's story very well done. Jolene's, on the other hand, was harder to believe. What she and her friend Molly do in Ireland seemed too contrived or melodramatic to be fully believable. However, the ending makes up for this...almost completely. Well worth reading.

As much a story about the narrator here, Jolene Iolas, as about Martin Sloane. Martin Sloane is an artist who uses found objects to create little stories in boxes. His work is intricate, carefully made, and fascinating to some, including Jolene. Jolene, many years younger than Martin, is attracted to him and in time he appears to respond. The two become a couple who live in separate homes.

What does Martin's work say about his life? How does Jolene's background lead her to a life of searching? Other reviewers have said the novel is about love, about how one loves another. There are several kinds of love in the book, so perhaps this is as good a way to describe it as any.

Redhill says he was inspired by the work of an actual artist, Joseph show more Cornell, when he created Martin Sloane. I found it helpful to look at Cornell's work after reading the novel. show less

Unlike anything I've ever read before. So wonderful, but so sad ! I can't wait to track down more on Cornell. Thanks to Sandra for the recommendation!

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My eloquent, scholarly review.